Posts Tagged ‘Beauty’

I was having lunch with a friend yesterday, when she mentioned how great my skin looked. After thanking her, it wasn’t until later on that I realized I forgot to mention a fabulous new product which is now part of my make up routine. In part, my skin is looking great due to my coffee scrub (yet to be named) which I have been using for the past month. Coffee has been absolutely fantastic for my face and body. My face is definitely smoother and my pores are smaller. The product I’ve been using is L’Oreal’s Revitalift Miracle Blur Instant Skin Smoother.

This product is unbelievable!! It literally creates an air brushed effect on your skin. It comes in a cream or an oil free gel, which is the one I use, due to me having a true T-Zone. How did this all come about? I had run out of my beloved Pore Minimizer by Clinique, and due to minor surgery, I just could not get to my local Macy’s, so off to CVS I went. I had just seen the commercial with Eva Longoria the day before, and my interest was peaked. Well… I was pleasantly surprised when I gave it a try; the label touts “the 30 second miracle” and I have to admit it’s true. My t-zone instantly disappeared, my pores were smaller, my skin literally appeared smoother before my eyes!! My make up blended more evenly with less work, and I also applied it on top of my make up for good measure. I must say I absolutely love it! I got about 4 hours out of it before I needed to touch up again, which for me is fantastic, as my skin tends to shine after a while.

This little gem is on the expensive side ($25), but I had two CVS cash coupons for $5 and $2.50, (I rarely shop without coupons!) compared to $18 for my Clinique product, but I assure you a little goes a long way. I’ve had Miracle Blur for about 2 weeks now, and I don’t think I’ve made a dent in the tube. I also purchased it because CVS has a fantastic no questions asked return policy, and my only risk was having to take the time to return it to get my money back.

If you’re looking for a product to give you that air brushed look and take away the shine, Darlings… This is it!!

The owner of Maylana’s Chronicles was not compensated in any way by L’Oreal or it’s subsidiaries for this review.

Oscar Nominee Lupita Nyong’o has taken Hollywood by storm and in my opinion by complete surprise. Lupita is either gracing a magazine cover, complete with beautiful layouts, adorning gorgeous designer dresses. She is winning every award, and deservedly so. This Yale educated, beautiful and talented actress, is doing for black women, what Alek Wek did back in the early 90’s. It is beautiful to see a beautiful, chocolate hued woman representing me in Hollywood. It’s beautiful to see a woman whose hair is as short as mine, representing all black women who have chosen not to go the weave or wig route.

There is nothing wrong if you choose to wear weaves or wigs, but those of us with cropped, short or baldies tend to be shunned and not seen as beautiful. Luckily I’ve always been very confident, therefore my short hair {sometimes baldie, depending on my mood} does not dictate who I am, though it is part of who I am as a woman. I’ve just listened to Lupita’s graceful and moving speech on black beauty at the annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood event; for me it was extremely soul-stirring, moving and timely, I felt her speech deep down inside my soul.

Thank you Lupita, for your grace, your elegance and your extraordinary talent. Thank you for sharing your own personal journey with your skin tone, and letting the world know, that you don’t have to be a light-skinned black woman, with a long flowing weave {or naturally long hair} to make it in this world.

Let’s wish Lupita the very best of luck at tonight’s Academy Awards Ceremony, she deserves every accolade.

Back in November, I received a nice size sample of Clinique’s Moisture Surge Intense, and I have to say, I absolutely love it. After following the usual 3 steps, wash, clarifying lotion, and moisturizer (for full disclosure, I don’t use the Clinique soap anymore, as I much prefer Burt’s Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile Cleansing Cream); you then apply Clinique’s Moisture Surge, by massaging it into your skin. What this product does for your skin is short of amazing, you have an instant glow, and if used at night (which I do), you wake up with your skin feeling really soft. Your skin literally drinks it in.

Since I’ve been using this product, I have definitely noticed a difference in the texture of my skin, which now feels much more hydrated and supple (and of course, drinking lots of water helps). For those of you, like me, with mature skin, this cream is a must have to add to your beauty arsenal. Buy yours here

Also try Clinique’s Moisture Surge which is fantastic (and also in my beauty case) for hydrating your skin during those hot and humid summer months.

It’s the one we’ve been waiting for and it’s finally here!!! The release of Urban Decay’s Naked 3. Just by the photos alone, this palette looks gorgeous. The much-anticipated release of Naked 3, contains 12 shades of rose hued neutrals, from the palest, shimmery pink to the deepest black matte with red micro-glitter, which I think will look fantastic on practically all skin tones. Urban Decay never disappoints with their cosmetics, and the Naked range have become huge best sellers, and very popular among women in the know.

I’m looking forward to owning this new collection, it will make a fabulous stocking filler, hint, hint♥

The spectacular show, Mother Nature displayed today, was nothing short of stunning! She wore all of her colours, and showed them off in a vivid display of reds and golds for us mere humans to enjoy. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, with the wind whipping around our necks; it was just a gorgeous day, where, even if you had nowhere to go, you had to go out, and just go for a walk and enjoy Mother nature’s awesome splendor.

The rose in particular stood out for me. Every other rose around it was shriveled to a crisp, but this rose was holding on for dear life, standing tall and proud in her redness as if to say, “look at me I’m still here!!”.

I’ve been using Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion {DDML} for approximately 30 years. I’ve drifted to other brands over the years, Avon’s Anew being one of them, which is a product I actually liked; but I always came back to that yellow lotion in the square bottle. DDML always left my skin feeling wonderful, never greasy, my skin would just drink it in; and for someone who had a true T-Zone, this product just worked for me. I truly did not think a moisturizer could get any better.

Then… I received a sample of the new and improved Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ {DDML+}, Wow!!! This new and improved version, is, in my opinion amazing! it actually gives the skin a luminous glow; it hydrates more; there’s something different about the formula, it’s smoother, richer, still, without being greasy; there’s something more, but I can’t quite put my finger on it; as my skin has matured, and become dryer, DDML+ is perfect for me. What I do know, is that Clinique has managed to improve upon a sure thing.

I worked for Clinique many moons ago, back home in London; who would have thought after all these years, I’d still be touting their products, without having to wear that white lab coat!

People compliment me all the time on my eyelashes {Thank you!}. I am blessed with naturally long eyelashes, but I will be the first to admit, I also get a lot of help from Clinique’s Lash Doubling Mascara. I don’t know what’s in this silver tube, but it’s nothing short of magic. It truly does lengthen and thicken your lashes, without making you look as though you have two gigantic moths stuck to your eyes.

The potion in this magic tube, lasts all day, and comes off easily with eye make- up remover or your favourite cleanser {I use Burt’s Bees Soap Bark and Camomile Cleanser).

For me, Clinque’s Lash Doubling Mascara is worth every penny of its $16.00. Available at most department stores, and at Clinique.com

RiRi Woo, the MAC lipstick shade created in collaboration with Rihanna, sold out online in three hours {is that a first?}. I love red lipsticks, and I must say, this is a truly gorgeous deep red. My favourite MAC lipstick is actually called ” MAC Red”; this new red, could become a favourite of mine from the MAC cosmetics range. Apparently, there’s a long wait list; in the meantime my Tom Ford Cherry Lush will just have to do!

While going through past posts, I decided today would be archive day. Here is a post which was originally published in March of 2012 {with minor formatting changes}. When I look back on my past posts, I see how far I’ve come with my writing, and if I do say so, I’m quite proud of myself 🙂 Don’t you feel the same about your own writing?

If I’m in the mood, I might post another from the archives… So stay tuned! Happy Thursday Darlings, we’re nearly there.♥

I’ve decided upon Bvlgari Mon Jasmine Noir. This is truly a beautiful fragrance which is already a classic for me. This is the lighter version to the much heavier and in my opinion pungent Jasmine Noir, which reminds me too much of Opium by Yves Saint Laurent {remember that one ladies?}.

I’ve been a fan of Bvlgari fragrances for some time, especially the Bvlgari Rose Essentielle. Mon Jasmine Noir has top notes of golden citron and floral lily of the valley with of course the elegant Jasmine. Sprayed lightly (very important, you don’t want everyone in the elevator to pass out!) you can have yourself a daily “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” moment. Treat yourself! Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks.